South Korea, ASEAN deepen IP partnership to support regional growth
08 October 2025
As intangible assets become the new currency in the global economy, South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are strategically reinforcing their economic ties through a sophisticated intellectual property framework.
Their deepening cooperation is designed to do more than just protect trademarks – it aims to build a resilient ecosystem for innovation that can harness disruptive technologies and fuel cross-border growth.
This agenda was recently solidified at the 8th Korea-ASEAN Heads of IP Offices Meeting in Seoul, where delegates charted a course for the future.
Since establishing a formal partnership in 2018, the collaboration has evolved from foundational agreements to practical, forward-looking initiatives. This time, the new focus is squarely on the digital economy, with commitments to develop AI-based IP administration systems and, crucially, to promote IP financing – a mechanism allowing startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises to use their intellectual property as collateral for growth capital.
The partnership also addresses the critical need for skilled local talent by expanding customized education programs across the 10 ASEAN member states, with East Timor joining as an observer.
For South Korea, this is a strategic imperative. “ASEAN, a representative region of the Global South with significant growth potential, has recently become increasingly important in terms of export market diversification,” stated KIPO Commissioner Wan-ki Kim. By creating a predictable and robust IP environment, Seoul aims to de-risk market entry for its companies, ensuring their innovations are protected as they expand into one of the world’s most dynamic economic blocs.
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
